Numbers 25 in the early church

120 passages quote, allude to, or echo Numbers 25, grouped by verse; passages on the same verse are in date order. Verse text from the Berean Standard Bible (public domain). References use the Protestant English Bible's numbering, with a writer's own numbering in brackets where it differs.

Verses: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14 · 15 · 17

Numbers 25:1

While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with the daughters of Moab,
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:1	Dialogue with Trypho 132.1 · Justin Martyr	allusion, high confidence	ca. 155–160
Num 25:1	The Instructor 1.10.90 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 190–200
Num 25:1	Miscellanies 2.18.83 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 198–203
Num 25:1	Arabic Pentateuch fragment XIX (on Num 25. 26) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	unknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Num 25:1	Antidote for the Scorpion's Sting 3 · Tertullian	allusion, high confidence	ca. 211–213
Num 25:1	Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 581 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Num 25:1	Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 809 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Num 25:1	Exhortation to Martyrdom 6 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	235
Num 25:1	Homilies on Numbers 15.2 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Num 25:1–3	Homilies on Numbers 20.1 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Num 25:1–3	Homilies on Numbers 20.3 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Num 25:1	Martyrdom of Pionius and Companions 4 · Anonymous	allusion, high confidence	250 (the text may be later)
Num 25:1	Commentary on the Apocalypse 2.3 · Victorinus of Pettau	allusion, medium confidence	late 3rd century
Num 25:1–3	Demonstration of the Gospel 9.1.6 · Eusebius of Caesarea	quotation, high confidence	ca. 314–324
Num 25:1–3	On Not Sparing Those Who Sin against God 1 · Lucifer of Cagliari	allusion, high confidence	ca. 356–361
Num 25:1–9	Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:8 · Ambrosiaster	allusion, high confidence	ca. 366–384
Num 25:1	Letter 78.43 · Jerome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Num 25:1–9	On the Life of Moses 325 · Gregory of Nyssa	allusion, high confidence	ca. 385–395
Num 25:1–9	On the Life of Moses 423 · Gregory of Nyssa	allusion, high confidence	ca. 385–395
Num 25:1	On the Duties of the Clergy 1.29 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386–390
Num 25:1	Exposition of Psalm 118 20.48.2 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Num 25:1–6	Homily on 1 Cor, 19.5 · John Chrysostom	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 392-397
Num 25:1–13	Numbers, lines 718–742 · Cyprianus Gallus	allusion, high confidence	early 5th cent.
Num 25:1	The Conferences 24.17 · John Cassian	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 426–429
Num 25:1–9	Part 2, chapter 12 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	allusion, high confidence	ca. 445-450

Numbers 25:2

who also invited them to the sacrifices for their gods. And the people ate and bowed down to these gods.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:2	Miscellanies 2.18.83 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 198–203
Num 25:2	Exhortation to Martyrdom 6 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	235

Numbers 25:3

So Israel joined in worshiping Baal of Peor, and the anger of the LORD burned against them.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:3	Eclogae on Exodus-Judges, column 581 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Num 25:3	PG 12:1561 (Ps 105–106 LXX) · Origen	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 220-254
Num 25:3	Exhortation to Martyrdom 6 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	235
Num 25:3	Martyrdom of Pionius and Companions 4 · Anonymous	allusion, high confidence	250 (the text may be later)
Num 25:3	Demonstration of the Gospel 9.1.5 · Eusebius of Caesarea	allusion, high confidence	ca. 314–324
Num 25:3	Letter 129.5 · Jerome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Num 25:3	Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 62.7.5 · Epiphanius of Salamis	allusion, high confidence	374-377
Num 25:3	Apostolic Constitutions 5.12.2 · Anonymous	allusion, high confidence	ca. 380
Num 25:3	Homilies on Matthew 8.4 · John Chrysostom	allusion, high confidence	ca. 390
Num 25:3	Homilies on Matthew 12.2 · John Chrysostom	allusion, high confidence	ca. 390
Num 25:3	Homilies on Matthew 35.1 · John Chrysostom	allusion, high confidence	ca. 390
Num 25:3	Instructions 2.9 · Eucherius of Lyon	allusion, high confidence	ca. 428-434

Numbers 25:4

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Take all the leaders of the people and execute them in broad daylight before the LORD, so that His fierce anger may turn away from Israel.”
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:4	Homilies on Numbers 20.4 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)

Numbers 25:6

Just then an Israelite man brought to his family a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses and the whole congregation of Israel while they were weeping at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:6	Arabic Pentateuch fragment XIX (on Num 25. 26) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	unknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Num 25:6–13	Commentary on John 6.83 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Num 25:6–8	Homilies on Numbers 20.5 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Num 25:6–8	Demonstration 4.14 · Aphrahat	allusion, high confidence	337-345
Num 25:6–14	Demonstration 14.40 · Aphrahat	allusion, high confidence	337-345
Num 25:6–9	Demonstration 18.6 · Aphrahat	allusion, high confidence	337-345
Num 25:6–14	On Not Sparing Those Who Sin against God 12 · Lucifer of Cagliari	allusion, high confidence	ca. 356–361
Num 25:6	Exposition of Psalm 118 18.11.1 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397

Numbers 25:7

On seeing this, Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, got up from the assembly, took a spear in his hand,
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:7	Miscellanies 3.4.32 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 198–203
Num 25:7–8	Commentary on John 20.220 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Num 25:7–13	Homily on 1 Samuel 1.7 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Num 25:7	Commentary on Romans 8.1 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Num 25:7–13	Letter 73.10 · Cyprian of Carthage	allusion, high confidence	249/250–258
Num 25:7–8	On Not Sparing Those Who Sin against God 1 · Lucifer of Cagliari	allusion, high confidence	ca. 356–361
Num 25:7–13	On Not Sparing Those Who Sin against God 13 · Lucifer of Cagliari	allusion, high confidence	ca. 356–361
Num 25:7–8	Letters 46, 47 · Basil of Caesarea	allusion, high confidence	ca. 357–378
Num 25:7–13	Letter 143 · Gregory of Nazianzus	allusion, high confidence	ca. 360–390
Num 25:7–13	Oration 14.3 · Gregory of Nazianzus	allusion, high confidence	ca. 362–383
Num 25:7–8	Oration 15.9 · Gregory of Nazianzus	allusion, high confidence	ca. 362–383
Num 25:7	Against Eunomius 1.1 · Basil of Caesarea	allusion, high confidence	ca. 364
Num 25:7–11	Against Parmenian the Donatist 3.5 · Optatus of Milevis	allusion, high confidence	ca. 366–385
Num 25:7–8	Against Parmenian the Donatist 3.7 · Optatus of Milevis	allusion, high confidence	ca. 366–385
Num 25:7–13	Against Parmenian the Donatist 7.6 · Optatus of Milevis	allusion, high confidence	ca. 366–385
Num 25:7–11	Commentary on 1 Corinthians 10:8 · Ambrosiaster	allusion, high confidence	ca. 366–384
Num 25:7–13	Letter 64.1 · Jerome	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 370–419
Num 25:7	Letter 109.3 · Jerome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Num 25:7	Letter 147.9 · Jerome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Num 25:7–13	Psalm 105 · Apollinaris of Laodicea	allusion, medium confidence	uncertain (fourth to sixth century)
Num 25:7–8	On the Life of Moses 425 · Gregory of Nyssa	allusion, high confidence	ca. 385–395
Num 25:7	Exposition of Psalm 118 18.10.2 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Num 25:7	Letter 4.129 (to Strategius) · Isidore of Pelusium	allusion, high confidence	ca. 393-ca. 435
Num 25:7	On the Merits and Forgiveness of Sins 2.19 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, medium confidence	411–412
Num 25:7	On Faith and Works 3 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	ca. 413
Num 25:7–8	Part 1 · Eutherius of Tyana	allusion, high confidence	ca. 431-440
Num 25:7–8	Sermon on the Barbarian Time 4 · Quodvultdeus of Carthage	allusion, high confidence	ca. 437-450

Numbers 25:8

followed the Israelite into the tent, and drove the spear through both of them—through the Israelite and on through the belly of the woman. So the plague against the Israelites was halted,
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:8	Miscellanies 3.4.32 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 198–203
Num 25:8	Arabic Pentateuch fragment XIX (on Num 25. 26) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	unknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Num 25:8	Homilies on Numbers 15.2 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)
Num 25:8	Commentary on Romans 8.1 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 244–246 (Rufinus's translation ca. 405–406)
Num 25:8	Catechetical Lecture 12.6 · Cyril of Jerusalem	allusion, high confidence	ca. 350
Num 25:8	Homilies 10.6 · Basil of Caesarea	allusion, high confidence	ca. 363-378
Num 25:8	Letter 64.2 · Jerome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Num 25:8	Letter 78.43 · Jerome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Num 25:8	Letter 147.9 · Jerome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Num 25:8	Exposition of Psalm 118 18.10.2 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Num 25:8	Exposition of Psalm 118 18.11.2 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Num 25:8	On Faith and Works 3 · Augustine of Hippo	allusion, high confidence	ca. 413

Numbers 25:9

but those who died in the plague numbered 24,000.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:9	The Instructor 2.10.101 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, high confidence	ca. 190–200
Num 25:9	Arabic Pentateuch fragment XIX (on Num 25. 26) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	unknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Num 25:9	On Modesty 6 · Tertullian	allusion, high confidence	ca. 210–220
Num 25:9	Exposition of Psalm 118 18.10.2 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Num 25:9	Exposition of Psalm 118 20.48.2 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397

Numbers 25:10

Then the LORD said to Moses,
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:10–11	Homilies on Numbers 20.5 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 238–250 (Rufinus's translation ca. 400–410)

Numbers 25:11

“Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned My wrath away from the Israelites; for he was zealous for My sake among them, so that I did not consume the Israelites in My zeal.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:11	Miscellanies 3.4.32 · Clement of Alexandria	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 198–203
Num 25:11	Arabic Pentateuch fragment XIX (on Num 25. 26) · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	unknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Num 25:11	Fragments on the Song of Songs, chapter 8 · Origen	allusion, high confidence	ca. 220-254
Num 25:11	Commentary on John 6.83 · Origen	quotation, high confidence	ca. 230–248
Num 25:11	Catechetical Lecture 13.2 · Cyril of Jerusalem	allusion, high confidence	ca. 350
Num 25:11–13	On Not Sparing Those Who Sin against God 1 · Lucifer of Cagliari	quotation, high confidence	ca. 356–361
Num 25:11–13	On Not Sparing Those Who Sin against God 15 · Lucifer of Cagliari	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 356–361
Num 25:11–13	Tractates on the Psalms 118.18.3 · Hilary of Poitiers	quotation, high confidence	ca. 360–367
Num 25:11	Oration 18.21 · Gregory of Nazianzus	allusion, high confidence	ca. 362–383
Num 25:11	Homilies 14.8 · Basil of Caesarea	allusion, high confidence	ca. 363-378
Num 25:11	On the Soul and the Resurrection, Migne page 57 · Gregory of Nyssa	allusion, high confidence	ca. 379–380
Num 25:11	On the Soul and the Resurrection, Migne page 67 · Gregory of Nyssa	allusion, high confidence	ca. 379–380
Num 25:11	Exposition of Psalm 118 18.10.1 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Num 25:11	Homilies on Matthew 17.6 · John Chrysostom	allusion, high confidence	ca. 390

Numbers 25:12

Declare, therefore, that I am granting him My covenant of peace.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:12–13	Demonstration 14.27 · Aphrahat	allusion, high confidence	337-345
Num 25:12	Exposition of Psalm 118 18.10.1 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386-397
Num 25:12	Exposition of Psalm 118 18.11.3 · Ambrose	allusion, high confidence	ca. 386-397

Numbers 25:13

It will be a covenant of permanent priesthood for him and his descendants, because he was zealous for his God and made atonement for the Israelites.”
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:13	Arabic Pentateuch fragment XIX (on Num 25. 26) · Hippolytus of Rome	quotation, high confidence	unknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Num 25:13	Letter 78.43 · Jerome	allusion, high confidence	ca. 370–419
Num 25:13	Exposition of Psalm 118 18.10.1 · Ambrose	quotation, high confidence	ca. 386-397

Numbers 25:14

The name of the Israelite who was slain with the Midianite woman was Zimri son of Salu, the leader of a Simeonite family.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:14	Demonstration 14.13 · Aphrahat	allusion, high confidence	337-345
Num 25:14	Demonstration 18.6 · Aphrahat	allusion, high confidence	337-345
Num 25:14	Homilies 8.4 · Basil of Caesarea	allusion, medium confidence	ca. 363-378
Num 25:14	Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 55.7.2 · Epiphanius of Salamis	allusion, high confidence	374-377

Numbers 25:15

And the name of the slain Midianite woman was Cozbi, the daughter of Zur, a tribal chief of a Midianite family.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:15	Arabic Pentateuch fragment XIX (on Num 25. 26) · Hippolytus of Rome	allusion, high confidence	unknown (transmitted in a medieval Arabic catena)
Num 25:15	Panarion (Adversus Haereses), Haer. 1-64 55.7.2 · Epiphanius of Salamis	allusion, high confidence	374-377

Numbers 25:17

“Attack the Midianites and strike them dead.
BSB

Reference	Passage	Kind	Date
Num 25:17	Homilies 10.6 · Basil of Caesarea	quotation, high confidence	ca. 363-378